JasperReports is the world's most popular embeddable Java open source reporting library, providing Java developers with the power to easily create rich print and web reports. This book shows you exactly how to get started, and develop the skills to get the most from JasperReports.The book steers you through each point of report setup, to creating, designing, formatting, and exporting reports with data from a wide range of datasources, and integrating JasperReports with other Java frameworks.
Starting with the basics of adding reporting capabilities to your application, and creating report templates you will first see how to produce your reports through the use of JRXML files, custom ANT targets, and then see preview them in both the browser and the native browser of JasperReports.
Getting data into your reports is the next step, and you will see how to get data from a range of datasources, not only databases, but XML files, and Java Objects, among others.
You will create better looking reports with formatting and grouping, as well as adding graphical elements to the report. You will export your reports to a range of different formats, including PDF and XML.
Creating reports will be made even easier with a walkthrough of the iReport Designer visual designing tool. To round things off, you will see how to integrate your reports with other Java frameworks, using Spring or Hibernate to get data for the report, and Java Server Faces or Struts for presenting the report.
What you will learn from this book
Overview of JasperReports, and what it can do for you
Adding reporting capabilities to your application
Creating and formatting reports
Report layout and design
Working with database datasources
Working with other types of datasource such as arrays, collections, TableModels and XML
Creating subreports
Adding charts and graphics to a report
Working with the iReport report designer
Exporting reports to PDF, Excel spreadsheet or Word document format
Integrating JasperReports with other Java frameworks like Spring, Java Server Faces, Struts, and Hibernate
Approach
This book is a concise and practical guide aimed at getting the results you want as quickly as possible.
Who this book is written for
This book is for Java developers who want to create rich reports for either the web or print, and want to get started quickly with JasperReports to do this. No knowledge of JasperReports is presumed, although obviously familiarity with Java, SQL, and XML are assumed where they are required.
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Author(s)
David Heffelfinger
David Heffelfinger has been developing software professionally since 1995, he has been using Java as his primary programming language since 1996. He has worked on many large scale projects for several clients including Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the US Department of Defense. He has a Masters degree in Software Engineering from Southern Methodist University. David is editor in chief of Ensode.net (http://www.ensode.net), a web site about Java, Linux and other technology topics.
